Conte frustrated at Chelsea's growing injury list after shock Palace loss

Chelsea's mounting injury woes are frustrating Antonio Conte, who saw his side fall to a shock loss at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Published : Oct 15, 2017 01:42 IST

Antonio Conte lamented Chelsea's worsening injury situation after Victor Moses damaged his hamstring against Crystal Palace,
Antonio Conte lamented Chelsea's worsening injury situation after Victor Moses damaged his hamstring against Crystal Palace,
lightbox-info

Antonio Conte lamented Chelsea's worsening injury situation after Victor Moses damaged his hamstring against Crystal Palace,

Antonio Conte lamented Chelsea's worsening injury situation after Victor Moses damaged his hamstring against Crystal Palace, but conceded the champion was second-best in a shock 2-1 defeat to the Eagles.

The Blues were aiming to return to winning ways at Selhurst Park having gone down 1-0 down at home to title rival Manchester City before the international window. However, Wilfried Zaha scored on the stroke of half-time after Tiemoue Bakayoko had cancelled out an own goal from Cesar Azpilicueta, as Palace registered their first goals and points of the season.

To make matters worse, former Palace man Moses limped off in the first half and joins an injury list that already contains Alvaro Morata, N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater, a situation that is frustrating boss Conte. "I think, in this moment, for us it's a very difficult moment. When you start a game without Morata and without Kante, it's not simple, Conte, whose side is nine points adrift of leader Manchester City, told a post-match news conference. "Above all, if, during the game, another important player in your team has an injury too like Victor Moses ... I hope to have him back very soon because this moment is very difficult for us.

READ: Zaha helps Palace stun Chelsea

"To lose three or four players, it's a big problem for us. But, despite this, we have to find the will to fight. I think this season will be very difficult and, for this reason, we have to put 150 per cent in. It's not enough to put 100 per cent in like last season. I think this season, me first, the staff and the players have to put in 150 per cent because the season will be very difficult.

"We want to try and be competitive in all competitions, but it won't be easy."

Conte, who confirmed Moses will miss the midweek Champions League clash with Roma, refused to make excuses about the depth of Chelsea's squad, but acknowledged the absence of Morata and Kante may have accounted for an imbalance to his side.

"I think the situation is very clear and everyone can see that situation. I repeat, my job is to be focused on my work with my players, and to try and do our best," he added.

READ: Hodgson toasts players after stunning Palace victory

"For sure it's not an easy moment for us. But I think that, in this moment, it's important to find a solution. Don't look for excuses.

"To lose a player like Kante is not simple because he's able to cover a lot of the pitch. But, for sure, I have to think also to take into consideration a solution. 

"You know very well that the balance is very important if you want to win. The balance is very important. For sure, today, our balance was poor. Yes."

Asked if Chelsea were second best, he said: "Yes, I think that today was a difficult game for us. A difficult game from the start.

"Our start was poor. When you play against Crystal Palace away, you have to start with more personality otherwise you allow your opponent to take confidence. 

"We conceded the first goal, then we were able to come back and, in the last few minutes of the first half, concede another bad goal. Then it was very difficult for us."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment